Basics of Soccer Formations
Choosing the right soccer formation has many variables. It can depend on the strength of the players, the game situation, and a preference for style. As a soccer player, you’ll likely learn more than one way to line up, but most coaches have a primary formation they employ. Let’s examine some of the popular formations.
What is a Soccer Formation?
Formations are the designations of the players’ spots on the field. Some formations are better to attack offensively, others could be useful to defend or hold onto a lead, and others could be balanced. That means the team can be in a position to either score or defend. There are 11 positions in soccer.
- Goalkeeper
- Right Fullback
- Left Fullback
- Center Back
- Center Back
- Center Midfield
- Center Midfield
- Right Midfield/Wing
- Forward
- Forward
- Left Midfield/Wing
Offensive Formations
Offensive formations are favored by teams that prefer to attack and create more scoring opportunities. The goal is to get more shots on goal. One way to do that is to create mismatches by having more attackers than defenders in the scoring area.
2-3-5: An exaggerated offensive overload, the 2-3-5 has 2 defenders, 3 midfielders, and 5 players perched across midfield. It’s rarely used today in soccer as a primary formation. The goal is to flood the offensive side of the field, giving your team multiple scoring options. The job of the midfielders is to funnel the ball to the 5 players that are attacking. The defense is shored up by the 2 center backs. A version of this offense could be used in the final minutes of a match where a team is trailing and they’re trying to score a goal with time running out. Generally, this is a high-risk formation that doesn’t work well over the course of a 90-minute soccer match. The 2-3-5 leaves teams vulnerable to counterattacks. A counterattack is when a team stops an attack and quickly moves down the field to get in position to score.
4-1-3-2: The 4-1-3-2 is an attacking style formation, which puts an emphasis on the final third of the field, nearer to the opponent’s goal. Four defenders stay back while one midfielder helps. This lineup creates a scenario with 5 attacking players. It’s designed to create offensive mismatches and multiple scoring chances. The downside to this formation is that teams are vulnerable closer to their goal if the ball gets past the one player helping the defense.
4-2-3-1: The fullbacks and the center backs are positioned in the backfield to help the goalie. Positioned in front of that line are the two midfielders, who essentially are another line of defense. This leaves 5 attackers. The player at the front of the formation is the striker, and the other 4 players are the forwards and wings. They are there to help attack. The striker is the designated player that likely takes the most shots. A 4-2-3-1 can create difficult matchup problems for teams, putting 5 players in position to attack. One disadvantage of this formation is that with 2 attackers positioned in the middle of the field, it can limit scoring opportunities from the outside.
Defensive Formations
Defensive formations can be used to neutralize teams that have strong offenses and prefer an attacking style. They’re also effective for teams who like to create offense by counterattacking.
4-4-2: The 4-4-2 prioritizes defense, using just a striker and forward as attackers. In this formation, the 4 midfielders have an important dual role: They both help defensively and offensively. With only a striker and a forward back dedicated solely to scoring, the midfielders need to be a conduit to getting the ball in position to attack. The 4 midfielders are usually split in the midfield with two of them playing on the defensive side of the field and the other two playing on the offensive side. This formation creates a defensive presence over the entire field and it’s good for counterattacking. A good passing and dribbling team, however, can dominate possession, making it difficult to get good attacking opportunities.
5-3-2: With 5 people guarding the goal, a team can limit the attacks from its opponents. Since there are only 2 strikers, it can impact the number of scoring chances for a team that employs it. However, the key is that the first line of defense has 2 forwards on the outside that can peel off and help move the ball up the field to the front line. This type of formation isn’t common now, but with the right personnel it’s a viable option. This favors teams whose strength is guarding the goal. That usually means having limited attacking opportunities. A team that plays 5-3-2 has to pick its spots and take advantage of its scoring chances.
3-5-2: A defensive formation that gives teams the flexibility to be offensive minded with 3 central midfielders, the 3-5-2 works best with players in the middle who are good defensively but can also attack offensively. In this formation, 3 defenders stay back with the goal while 5 players line up at midfield. The wingbacks take the outer position at midfield. They generally drop back and help on defense or stay around the center of the field. The 3 inside players can help attack, stay back and defend, or help control the ball at midfield.
Balanced Formations
A balanced formation is used by teams who want to be in equal position to attack and defend.
4-3-3: The 4-3-3 has 4 defenders, 3 midfielders, and 3 strikers. The midfield players can have dual roles. They can drop back to help the defense or move forward and attack. The strikers are responsible for scoring. The center midfielder should be a fast, versatile player. They’ll help the strikers in attack situations but stay back and protect the middle when their opponent is attacking. The other midfielders generally can help on offense and defense also, but they’ll be more conservative about moving into the attacking zone too far. They need to guard the sidelines. This is a popular formation that some of the best teams in the world use because it allows you the flexibility to attack or strike a defensive posture.
4-4-1-1: With 7 players positioned around midfield, the 4-4-1-1 gives teams plenty of options to play defensive-minded soccer or attack. There is 1 striker who is closest to the goal. Behind the striker is a forward, who is just inside of midfield. The 4 midfield players are behind the forward, just past the center line. If a team is trying to guard, the 4 midfielders will drop back. If they are looking to score, they’ll move forward.
Finding the right soccer formation is like working on a puzzle. You must adapt your style of play to the strengths of your players. All the formations can be tweaked specifically to fit your players’ skills. Some teams with superior talent rely less on strict formations. They allow their players the freedom to play instinctively. Most teams, however, need the structure of a formation, and good teams often can play multiple formations well.